Chinese New Year- The Year of the Water Snake (Part four of five)

Everybody at ONCEkids wants to wish you a happy new year! Today is the first day of the fifteen day celebration for Chinese New Year. Also known as the Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year is one of the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. Last year welcomed the Year of the Dragon but beginning today, Chinese across the country are buzzing with excitement as 2013 welcomes the Year of the Water Snake. So with the coming of this change the question is raised- what does the Year of the Water Snake hold for you? 

We've gathered together a few tips from the pros on how you can maximize your good luck this year and minimize the bad. 

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The Snake is the sixth of the twelve signs of the Chinese Zodiac. The snake is considered to be a symbol of transformation, so expert Marites Allen reports that if you have any major changes to make in your life, this is the year to make them! This includes new loves, new careers, and new places. The reason why this year is expected to be such a good year and that it is a time for making changes is due to the fact that it includes a complete set of elements- two wood, two water, two earth, one metal, and one fire. Allen says people should feel very optimistic and excited entering into this year because it brings good luck all around, regardless of your sign. 

There are many ways you can maximize your luck during the holiday season. Anyone who wants to attract good luck during the year should begin by wearing this year's lucky colors, gold, silver, beige, yellow, brown, red, and whites with print. During the next fifteen days, it is advised that people refrain from getting any haircuts, doing so would jeopardize one's luck. 

To ensure a fully stalked kitchen over the next year, experts recommend placing onions with roots, cabbages, celery stalks with roots, and lotus roots tied with red ribbon inside of the rice container. To ensure happy and healthy relationships during this new year it is recommended that family members eat sweets, such as tikoy- something I have no problem doing! Prosperity can be brought into the home by placing fruits, including pineapple, pomelos, oranges, apples, and bananas, on the dining room table. These are the fruits that are thought to attract wealth. 

For more on Asian culture and popular holidays like Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year, please visit Fujimini Island on Facebook and Twitter. 

Another thing- don't forget to wear your new slippers- and new underwear too! It may surprise you to learn that if you wear new shoes and underwear today it will help eliminate any remaining bad luck that was left behind after cleaning the house.

Happy Chinese New Year!